Essay Workshop and Colorado Colleges!

This coming Sunday, Sept. 27, I am hosting an Essay Workshop. It will run from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. – giving students just enough time to get home to watch the ‘Hawks. After the last two games they need all the 12th man support that they can get! These workshops have been very popular and if you are interested there is more information at the end of this post.

One of the best parts of this job is getting a chance to visit colleges all over the country. After all, when else would I get a chance to visit places like Iowa or Wisconsin?

This month I was in Colorado – another first for me! I can see why so many of our Northwest kids are drawn to it. It was sunny all week, with just a hint of a mountain breeze in the air.  The flat terrain at many of these campuses was surprising - perfect for riding bikes, and yet, the mountains were right there, plenty close enough for a day on the slopes.

I had the opportunity to talk with students and admissions staff at each school and I came away with lots of good information. I kept thinking of students who would possibly be interested in one school or another. A few highlights:

Colorado School of Mines surprised me with the beauty of its campus. Unlike the other schools, it is nestled in the foothills, with the mountains seemingly close enough to touch. I learned about the admissions process (get your application in early!) and spoke with a lovely young woman who is soon to be a petroleum engineer.

University of Colorado – Boulder, or “C.U.” as the locals call it, is a beautiful state flagship institution with something for everyone. Our tour guide was originally from Sweden and she said that her parents liked visiting her in Colorado so much that they moved to Denver!

Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, has tons of school spirit and more bikes than I have ever seen in one place. It was the day before the big football game and it was fun to see their RAM mascot driving a golf cart all around the campus. You could flag him down and catch a ride to class!

The University of Denver, also known as ”D.U.”, has a multi-million dollar STEM initiative and is soon to open a brand new state-of-the-art facility for Engineering and Computer Science. This is a school that has improved dramatically in the past 15 years and it is more selective than ever.

Colorado College was lovely, with some of the best food I’ve ever had on a college campus. Their block plan is somewhat unique, only a handful of schools offer it. Students take one class for 3.5 weeks, then have a 4-5 day break (skiing anyone?) and then take the next class.

The Air Force Academy was quite impressive, with sleek architecture and uniform-clad students. It would be a terrific option for those considering a career in the military.

But now, I’m back in Seattle. And I’ve been busy helping students with their essays.  My next Essay Writing Workshop, will be this Sunday, Sept. 27 from 11-1. We will brainstorm essay ideas, both for the main Common App essay and for supplemental essays, and most importantly, the students will get a chance to write. I’ve been running these workshops all summer and it has been fun to see the relief on a student’s face when they finally “find their story”. The cost for the session is $150 per student, with no additional charge for the students on my comprehensive plan.  To sign up, please email me directly: teri@thompsoncollegeconsulting.com